US20070157285A1 - Distribution of multimedia content - Google Patents

Abstract

Systems, apparatus and methods for distribution of multimedia content are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, into a device having two or more modes of interaction, an input request for multimedia content from one mode of the two more modes of interaction. The method also includes transmitting the input request to a multimedia content provider. The method includes receiving the multimedia content back from the multimedia content provider. The method includes updating each of the two or more modes of interaction based on the received multimedia content.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION
• This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. ______ filed on even date herewith, titled “Distribution and Interface for Multimedia Content and Associated Context.”
LIMITED COPYRIGHT WAIVER
• A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material to which the claim of copyright protection is made. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any person of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but reserves all other rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND
• 1. Field
• This invention relates generally to the field of data processing and more particularly to distribution of multimedia content.
• 2. Description of Related Art
• There are a variety of different types of multimedia content that consumers can now access. Examples of such multimedia content include music, video, etc.
SUMMARY
• Systems, apparatus and methods for distribution of multimedia content are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, into a device having two or more modes of interaction, an input request for multimedia content from one mode of the two more modes of interaction. The method also includes transmitting the input request to a multimedia content provider. The method includes receiving the multimedia content back from the multimedia content provider. The method includes updating each of the two or more modes of interaction based on the received multimedia content.
• In some embodiments, a method includes setting a communication channel of a wireless communication device to a configuration channel in response to a determination that communication cannot be established with a wireless network. The method includes receiving wireless configuration data from a different wireless communication device on the wireless network. The method also includes updating wireless configuration of the wireless communication device to connect to the wireless network based on the received wireless configuration data.
• In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a wireless communication module to receive a wireless communication, from an electronic device, that cannot be transmitted through an opaque material. The wireless communication includes an identification of the electronic device. The apparatus also includes an output module to transmit a wireless control communication to control the electronic device after the wireless communication is received by the apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
• The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the Figures of the accompanying drawings in which:
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for controlling the distribution of multimedia content across multiple zones, according to some embodiments of the invention.
• FIG. 2 illustrates parts of a multimedia controller, according to some embodiments of the invention.
• FIG. 3 illustrates parts of a multimedia receiver, according to some embodiments of the invention.
• FIG. 4 illustrates parts of an electronic device to be detected in a zone, according to some embodiments of the invention.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram for multimodal processing, according to some embodiments of the invention.
• FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram for synthesis of multiple multimedia output, according to some embodiments of the invention.
• FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of operations of a device to be configured for a wireless network, according to some embodiments of the invention.
• FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of operations of a device to configure other devices for a wireless network, according to some embodiments of the invention.
• FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a system for detecting electronic devices in a zone, according to some embodiments of the invention.
• FIG. 10 illustrates a flow diagram of operations of an electronic device to be detected and subsequently controlled by a multimedia controller, according to some embodiments of the invention.
• FIG. 11 illustrates a flow diagram of operations of a multimedia controller to detect and subsequently control electronic devices in a zone, according to some embodiments of the invention.
• FIG. 12 illustrates a flow diagram of operations of a multimedia device for displaying of a contextual user output interface, according to some embodiments of the invention.
• FIG. 13 illustrates a structure for mapping of relationships among multimedia content, according to some embodiments of the invention.
• FIG. 14 illustrates a graphical user interface of a display of a result of scores of professional football and its context, according to some embodiments of the invention.
• FIG. 15 illustrates a graphical user interface of a display of a result of a user's stocks and its context, according to some embodiments of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
• Systems, apparatus and methods for distribution of multimedia content are described herein. This description of the embodiments is divided into seven sections. The first section describes an example system environment and device architectures. The second section describes example operations of multimodal processing. The third section describes example operations of synthesis of multiple multimedia output. The fourth section describes example operations of a wireless configuration of unconfigured electronic devices. The fifth section describes example operations of detection of devices in a zone. The sixth section describes example operations of displaying a contextual user output interface. The seventh section provides some general comments.
• Some embodiments may be used in the control of the distribution of multimedia content. For example, some embodiments may be used as part of a home entertainment and information system. The multimedia controller may control the distribution of different multimedia from various multimedia content providers to different zones. For example, in some embodiments, the multimedia controller may control the distribution of video, audio, etc. from a home computer to different rooms in a home. The distribution may be through wireless or wired communication. For example, in some embodiments, the distribution may be through a wireless router. The system may also include one or more multimedia receivers in the one or more zones for receiving the multimedia content. For example, for audio the multimedia receivers may be coupled to a stereo for outputting audio there from. The system may allow for access to a digital music collection on a home computer, the latest news headlines and weather reports, on-demand stocks and mutual fund performance, up-to-the-minute sports scores, schedules and news, etc.
• A user of the system may control how to receive the content. For example, a user may play music through a given set of speakers or use headphones to listen privately through the multimedia controller. Furthermore, the user may view a stock report on a display on the multimedia controller or have such report read through an audio output on the multimedia controller.
• In some embodiments, the multimedia controller is multimodal. In other words, the multimedia controller may include multiple modes of interaction (e.g., voice, buttons, keyboard, etc.) for both input and output for the controlling of the system. The different modes of interaction may be dynamically updated as a user navigates through the system. Accordingly, at any point in the operation of the system, a user may use voice, buttons, etc. for navigation. For example, a user may use voice input for an initial broad search that returns a list of results (such as all songs for a particular artist). The user may then use the buttons to select one of the songs from the list.
• In some embodiments, the distributed multimedia content may be of different priorities. For example, music may be low priority, while stock quotes, alarms, news, etc. may be high priority. In some embodiments, the low priority and high priority multimedia content is synthesized and then output as audio.
• In some embodiments, the system includes a wireless configuration of the multimedia receivers and/or other electronic devices in different zones. In particular, the multimedia controller may configure the multimedia receivers/electronic devices to communicate on a wireless network. Accordingly, a user is not required to manually set up a wireless configuration for each of the multimedia receivers/electronic devices that are added to the system.
• Some embodiments include a detection of electronic devices (such as the multimedia receivers) using a wireless remote control (such as the multimedia controller) in a zone of a multi-zone system. The electronic devices may emit a wireless transmission (such as an infrared signal) that the wireless remote control may detect. In some embodiments, the wireless transmission may be limited to be within the zone where the electronic device is located. Accordingly, a user may move the wireless remote control from zone to zone and then detect and control the electronic devices within a given zone. In particular, the wireless remote control may be configured to control the devices in a given zone after receipt of the wireless transmissions from such devices in the zone.
• Some embodiments provide a context for a user. In particular, in some embodiments, a user may jump to any point in a database of multimedia content. For example, the user is not required to step through a tree structure of data to retrieve certain multimedia content that may be located a number of levels therein. To illustrate, the user may request a list of the professional football scores. Therefore, the request may return this list along with a context. For example, in some embodiments, the context may include the data that is a level before and a level after the requested data. A display may include the result and the context. Accordingly, the user has a context of where they are positioned in the multimedia content, for subsequent requests for multimedia content. In some embodiments, the user may use a voice input to jump to any point in a database of multimedia content.
• In some embodiments, one or more groups may be defined for the distribution of multimedia content. The groups may be defined prior to the distribution of such content. Accordingly, a user may define groups, which may include one, more than one, less than all, all zones in a given system. For example, a group may be all of the rooms on a given floor, the living room and kitchen, etc.
Example System Environment and Device ArchitecturesExample System Environment
• This section provides an example system environment in which embodiments of the invention can be practiced. This section also describes an example system environment for the multimedia controller and the multimedia receivers. Operations of the system components are described in the subsequent sections.
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for controlling the distribution of multimedia content across multiple zones, according to some embodiments of the invention. Asystem100 includes amultimedia controller102, a number ofmultimedia receivers104A-104N, awireless router106, amultimedia content provider110 and a number ofbackend servers114A-114N. Themultimedia controller102, the multimedia receivers104 and themultimedia content provider110 are coupled together through wireless communication using thewireless router106. However, in some embodiments, all or some of the communications among such components may be wired.
• Themultimedia content provider110 may be any type of device for supplying multimedia content (including, but not limited to, audio (such as songs, news reports, sports scores, weather, traffic, etc.), video (such as movies, news broadcasts, etc.), etc. In some embodiments, themultimedia content provider110 may be a personal computer (such as a desktop or notebook computer).
• As shown, the multimedia receivers104 may be in different zones. For example, the multimedia receivers104 may be in different rooms or parts of a home, office, etc. Themultimedia receiver104A and themultimedia receiver104A are located in azone A116A and azone N116N, respectively.
• Themultimedia content provider110 is also coupled to thebackend servers114A-114N through anetwork112. The communication between such components may be wireless, wired or a combination thereof. Thenetwork112 may be a local area network, a wide area network, etc. For example, thenetwork112 may be the Internet. Accordingly, themultimedia content provider110 may retrieve multimedia content from the backend servers114.
• As shown, themultimedia controller102 may have multiple modes of interactions (mode of interaction A, . . . mode of interaction N). The modes of interaction may be a microphone for inputting voice, buttons, a keyboards, stylus pens, etc. for input, a display and speakers for outputting images/video and audio, respectively, etc.
• A user may use any modes of interaction while using themultimedia controller102. The user may use a voice input for the control. The voice input may be forwarded to themultimedia content provider110. Themultimedia content provider110 may include voice recognition logic (software, hardware or a combination thereof) for interpreting the voice request/command. In some embodiments, after a number of requests from the user are considered errors, themultimedia controller102 may enter a training mode. For example, if the voice recognition logic in themultimedia content provider110 is not able to recognize the command, the request may be marked as an error. Alternatively or in addition, the user may mark the request as an error based on the result returned. The training mode may enable to interact with themultimedia controller102 to allow themultimedia content provider110 to recognize the voice of the user. For example, a user could voice test commands.
• In some embodiments, a user selects a button on themultimedia controller102 for inputting a voice request. A cursor on the graphical user interface of the display of themultimedia controller102 may be changed to a “preparing to record” symbol until themultimedia controller102 is prepared to receive the voice input. Such symbol signifies to the user that themultimedia controller102 is not prepared to receive voice input. After the cursor changes to a “ready to record” symbol, such change signifies to the user to input the voice request. In some embodiments, themultimedia controller102 commences recording the voice a given time period prior to the change to the “ready to record” symbol. In some embodiments, the time period may be one millisecond, two milliseconds, three milliseconds, one second, two second, etc. Such embodiments ensure that themultimedia controller102 is able to record at the beginning of the voice request, if the user speaks after the change to the “ready to record” symbol.
• In some embodiments, the voice request may include the location where the multimedia content is to be distributed (e.g., to a multimedia receiver104 in a given zone). For example, the user may request—“Play song A by artist B in the kitchen.” Themultimedia content provider110 may distribute the multimedia content to the particular multimedia controller/receiver (after the parsing by the voice recognition logic).
• In some embodiments, the modes of interaction for returning a result of a request may include data that may be displayed on a graphical user interface of a display of themultimedia controller102, an audio output to themultimedia controller102/multimedia receiver104, etc. In some embodiments, the audio output may be a sports score, business news, local news, weather, traffic, etc. The voices for such data may be different persons, which is dependent on the type of audio output. For example, a sports personality may be the voice that is audio output for the sports scores, while a business personality may be the voice that is audio output for the business news.
• In some embodiments, the results played back to themultimedia controller102/multimedia receivers104 may be a user-customized set of different multimedia content. For example, the user may configure thesystem100 to have the local news, weather and traffic be output to the multimedia receiver104 in the bedroom each morning at 7 a.m. In some embodiments, the multimedia receivers104 may be part of an alarm clock. Accordingly, after the alarm is output through a multimedia receiver104, this aggregated multimedia content may be subsequently output.
• In some embodiments, after themultimedia controller102 is powered on after prior usage, the zones where multimedia content was previously distributed is displayed on the display of themultimedia controller102 as part of the graphical user interface. In some embodiments, after themultimedia controller102 is powered on after prior usage, a list of favorite multimedia content, zones where multimedia content is most distributed, etc. is displayed on the display of themultimedia controller102 as part of the graphical user interface.
• In some embodiments, voice commands input by the user into themultimedia controller102 may be mapped to user-customized data. For example, the names for the user-customized set of different multimedia content (as described above), the names of zones, etc. may be mapped to voice commands. In some embodiments, the voice commands may be mapped to any of the buttons and soft keys on themultimedia controller102.
Example Multimedia Controller
• FIG. 2 illustrates parts of a multimedia controller, according to some embodiments of the invention. In particular, amultimedia controller200 shown inFIG. 2 may be representative of an architecture within themultimedia controller102. Themultimedia controller200 comprises processor(s)202.
• Themultimedia controller200 also includes avolatile memory230,processor bus222, and an Input/Output (I/O) controller hub (ICH)224. The processor(s)202, thevolatile memory230, and theICH224 are coupled to theprocessor bus222. The processor(s)202 may comprise any suitable processor architecture. Themultimedia controller200 may comprise one, two, three, or more processors, any of which may execute a set of instructions in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The processor(s)202 may be different types of processors. For example, a first processor may be a general purpose processor, while a second processor may be a digital signal processor for decoding and encoding audio data, video data, etc.
• Thememory230 may be representative of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory that stores data and/or instructions, and may comprise any suitable memory, such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), etc. The nonvolatile memory may be Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), flash memory, etc. The nonvolatile memory may also be Programmable ROM (PROM), Erasable PROM (EPROM), Electrically Erasable PROM (EEPROM), etc.
• Themultimedia controller200 may include awireless communication module218, asynthesis module219, aconfiguration module250 and anoutput module252. Thewireless communication module218, thesynthesis module219, theconfiguration module250 and theoutput module252 may be representative of hardware, firmware or a combination thereof. Thewireless communication module218, thesynthesis module219, theconfiguration module250 and theoutput module252 may be software instructions that reside in thememory230 and/or one of the IDE/ATA drives208, which may be executed by the processor(s)202. The operations of thewireless communication module218, thesynthesis module219, theconfiguration module250 and theoutput module252 are described in more detail below.
• Agraphics controller204 controls the display of information on adisplay device206, according to some embodiments of the invention. TheICH224 provides an interface to I/O devices or peripheral components for themultimedia controller200. TheICH224 may comprise any suitable interface controller to provide for any suitable communication link to the processor(s)202, thevolatile memory230 and/or to any suitable device or component in communication with theICH224. In some embodiments, theICH224 provides suitable arbitration and buffering for each interface.
• For some embodiments of the invention, theICH224 provides an interface to a secondary storage208 (which may be any type of nonvolatile data storage), such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or compact disc read only memory (CD ROM) drive, or to suitable universal serial bus (USB) devices through one or more USB ports. Thesecondary storage208 may be read only, read/write, etc.
• For some embodiments, theICH224 also provides an interface different user input devices (a microphone211, akeyboard212,buttons214, etc.). For some embodiments, theICH224 also provides a network interface220 though which themultimedia controller200 may communicate with other computers and/or devices. Themultimedia controller200 may also include awireless communication module218. Thewireless communication module218 may be hardware, software, firmware or a combination thereof to configure data communication according to one or more wireless protocols through thenetwork interface216. TheICH224 may provide an interface to any number ofports210. Theports210 may be used to provide different input/output. For example, one ormore ports210 may be coupled to speakers for audio output.
• In some embodiments, themultimedia controller200 includes a machine-readable medium that stores a set of instructions (e.g., software) embodying any one, or all, of the methodologies for the operations described herein. Furthermore, software may reside, completely or at least partially, withinmemory unit230 and/or within the processor(s)202.
• With regard to themultimedia content provider110, while not shown in a detailed diagram, themultimedia content provider110 may include components similar to those shown inFIG. 2 for themultimedia controller200. For example, themultimedia content provider110 may include processor(s), machine-readable media (such as memory, secondary storage) for storage of data (including different types of multimedia content), software to execute on the processor(s) for operations described therein, various input/output, etc.
Example Multimedia Receiver
• FIG. 3 illustrates parts of a multimedia receiver, according to some embodiments of the invention. Amultimedia receiver300 shown inFIG. 3 may be representative of an architecture within one of the multimedia receivers104. As shown, the parts of the multimedia receiver104 may be similar to the parts of themultimedia controller102. However, the multimedia receiver104 may not include a display and/or all or some of the user inputs devices (such as the microphone211, thekeyboard212, thebuttons214, etc.).
• Themultimedia receiver300 comprises processor(s)302. Themultimedia receiver300 also includes avolatile memory330, processor bus322, and an Input/Output (I/O) controller hub (ICH)324. The processor(s)302, thevolatile memory330, and theICH324 are coupled to the processor bus322. The processor(s)302 may comprise any suitable processor architecture. Themultimedia receiver300 may comprise one, two, three, or more processors, any of which may execute a set of instructions in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The processor(s)302 may be different types of processors. For example, a first processor may be a general purpose processor, while a second processor may be a digital signal processor for decoding and encoding audio data, video data, etc.
• Thememory330 may be representative of volatile and/or non-volatile memory that stores data and/or instructions, and may comprise any suitable memory, such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), etc. The nonvolatile memory may be Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), flash memory, etc. The nonvolatile memory may also be Programmable ROM (PROM), Erasable PROM (EPROM), Electrically Erasable PROM (EEPROM), etc.
• Themultimedia receiver300 may include awireless communication module318, asynthesis module319 and anauto communication module350. Thewireless communication module318, thesynthesis module319 and theauto communication module350 may be representative of hardware, firmware or a combination thereof. Thewireless communication module318, thesynthesis module319 and theauto communication module350 may be software instructions that reside in thememory230 and/or one of the IDE/ATA drives208, which may be executed by the processor(s)202. The operations of thewireless communication module318, thesynthesis module319 and theauto communication module350 are described in more detail below.
• TheICH324 provides an interface to I/O devices or peripheral components for themultimedia receiver300. TheICH324 may comprise any suitable interface controller to provide for any suitable communication link to the processor(s)302, thememory330 and/or to any suitable device or component in communication with theICH324. In some embodiments, theICH324 provides suitable arbitration and buffering for each interface.
• For some embodiments of the invention, theICH324 provides an interface to a secondary storage308 (which may be any type of nonvolatile data storage), such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or compact disc read only memory (CD ROM) drive, or to suitable universal serial bus (USB) devices through one or more USB ports. Thesecondary storage308 may be read only, read/write, etc.
• For some embodiments, theICH324 also provides a network interface320 though which themultimedia receiver300 may communicate with other computers and/or devices. Themultimedia receiver300 may also include awireless communication module318. Thewireless communication module318 may be hardware, software, firmware or a combination thereof to configure data communication according to one or more wireless protocols through thenetwork interface316. TheICH324 may provide an interface to any number ofports310. Theports310 may be used to provide different input/output. For example, one ormore ports310 may be coupled to speakers for audio output.
• In some embodiments, themultimedia receiver300 includes a machine-readable medium that stores a set of instructions (e.g., software) embodying any one, or all, of the methodologies for the operations described herein. Furthermore, software may reside, completely or at least partially, withinmemory unit330 and/or within the processor(s)302.
Example Electronic Device Detected in a Zone
• FIG. 4 illustrates parts of an electronic device to be detected in a zone, according to some embodiments of the invention. Anelectronic device400 shown inFIG. 4 may be representative of an architecture within any of a number of different electronic devices. Theelectronic device400 may be representative of parts of the multimedia receiver104. Accordingly, some of the parts described for theelectronic device400 may be incorporated into the architecture in the multimedia receiver300 (shown inFIG. 3). Theelectronic device400 may also be representative of parts of other electronic devices that may or may not be coupled to one of the multimedia receivers104. For example, theelectronic device400 may be representative of parts of a Compact Disc (CD) player/recorder, a Digital Video Disk (DVD) player/recorder, a set top box, a security system, a thermostat, a television, etc.
• Theelectronic device400 comprises aprocessor406. Theelectronic device400 also includes awireless transmitter402 and aninput module404, which are coupled to theprocessor406. Although not shown, theelectronic device400 may include other components (such as a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory, a display, different input components, etc.). Thewireless transmitter402 may output different types of wireless communication. In some embodiments, thewireless transmitter402 outputs a wireless communication that cannot be transmitted through an opaque material (such as an infrared signal). Accordingly, the wireless communication may not be transmitted through solids walls of a house, an office, etc. Theinput module404 may be representative of hardware, software, firmware or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, theinput module404 receives wireless control signals (such as those from the multimedia controller102). Theprocessor406 may control theinput module404 and thewireless transmitter402. The operations of theelectronic device400 are described in more detail below.
Operations for Multimodal Processing
• This section provides a description of operations for multimodal processing, according to some embodiments of the invention. In certain embodiments, the operations are performed by instructions residing on machine-readable media (e.g., software), while in other embodiments, the methods are performed by hardware or other logic (e.g., digital logic).
• FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram for multimodal processing, according to some embodiments of the invention.FIG. 5 illustrates operations that may be executed by themultimedia controller102. The flow diagram500 commences at block502.
• At block502, an input request for multimedia content is received into a device, having two or more modes of interaction, from one of the two or more modes. With reference toFIG. 1, themultimedia controller102 receives the input request for multimedia content. For example, themultimedia controller102 may receive input from a voice of a user using the microphone211. Other modes of interaction may include thekeyboard212, thebuttons214, etc. (as described above). The flow continues atblock504.
• Atblock504, the input request is transmitted to the multimedia content provider. With reference toFIG. 1, themultimedia controller102 may transmit the input request to themultimedia content provider110. With reference toFIG. 2, thewireless communication module218 may receive the input and output the input request to themultimedia content provider110 through thenetwork interface216. The flow continues atblock506.
• Atblock506, the multimedia content is received back from the multimedia content provider (in response to the input request). With reference toFIG. 1, themultimedia controller102 may receive the multimedia content back from themultimedia content provider110. With reference toFIG. 2, thewireless communication module218 may receive the multimedia content through thenetwork interface216. The flow continues atblock508.
• Atblock508, each of the two or more modes of interaction for the multimedia controller is updated (synthesized) based on the received multimedia content. With reference toFIG. 2, thewireless communication module218 may update (synthesize) each of the modes of interaction. Thewireless communication module218 may update thedisplay device206, the microphone211, thekeyboard212, thebuttons214, etc. For example, if the input request was for a list of all of songs for a given artist, thedisplay206 may be updated to show this list. Thedisplay device206 may be a touch screen. Accordingly, soft buttons on thedisplay device206 may be updated to select one or more songs from the list. Moreover, thekeyboard212 and thebuttons214 are updated such that input from such inputs or the microphone211 may be used for the next input for themultimedia controller102. For example, even though the microphone211 was used for the input request, thebuttons214 may be mapped to allow for the selection of the songs from the returned list. In some embodiments, some but not all of the modes of interaction are updated based on the result of the input request. In some embodiments, a mapping among different modes of interaction may be used to determine which modes of interaction should be updated based on the input request. The mapping may be stored in a machine readable medium in themultimedia content provider110, themultimedia controller102, etc. Accordingly, as described, different modes of interaction for a same device are updated, regardless of which mode was used for a given input request. Moreover, at any point in the operation, any one of multiple modes of interaction may be used. For example, the voice input may be used for a broad search, while the buttons may be used to further refine the search. The operations of the flow diagram500 are complete.
Synthesis of Multiple Multimedia Output
• This section provides a description of a synthesis of multiple multimedia output, according to some embodiments of the invention. In particular, some embodiments synthesize different multimedia content to be output. The multimedia content may be of different priority. In some embodiments, music may be classified as low priority, while other types of audio (such as requests for stock quotes, news of the day, alarms, etc.) may be classified as high priority. With reference toFIG. 1, the synthesized multimedia content may be output to themultimedia controller102 and/or the multimedia receivers104. In certain embodiments, the operations are performed by instructions residing on machine-readable media (e.g., software), while in other embodiments, the methods are performed by hardware or other logic (e.g., digital logic).
• FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram for synthesis of multiple multimedia output, according to some embodiments of the invention.FIG. 6 illustrates operations that may be executed by themultimedia controller102 or by the multimedia receiver104. The flow diagram600 commences atblock602.
• Atblock602, high priority multimedia content is received into a multimedia controller or a multimedia receiver. With reference toFIG. 1, themultimedia controller102 or the multimedia receiver104 may receive the high priority multimedia content. For example, a user (using one of the modes of the multimedia controller102) may request that a stock quote be output to one of the multimedia receivers104. The flow continues atblock604.
• Atblock604, a determination is made of whether high priority multimedia content is currently being output to the multimedia controller or the multimedia receiver. With reference toFIG. 2 and assuming that the output is to the multimedia controller, the synthesis module219 (for the multimedia controller200) may make this determination. With reference toFIG. 3 and assuming that the output is to one of the multimedia receivers, the synthesis module319 (for the multimedia receiver300) may make this determination. If there is high priority multimedia content being output, the flow continues at thisblock606. Otherwise, the flow continues at block608 (which is described in more detail below).
• Atblock606, the received high priority multimedia content is queued. With reference toFIG. 2 and assuming that the output is to the multimedia controller, the synthesis module219 (for the multimedia controller200) may queue the received high priority multimedia content. With reference toFIG. 3 and assuming that the output is to the multimedia receiver, the synthesis module319 (for the multimedia receiver300) may queue the received high priority multimedia content. Thesynthesis module219/319 may queue the content into a local machine readable medium (such as thememory unit230/330, one of the IDE/ATA drives208/308, etc.). The flow continues at block614 (which is described in more detail below).
• Atblock608, a determination is made of whether low priority multimedia content is being output to the multimedia controller or the multimedia receiver. With reference toFIG. 2 and assuming that the output is to the multimedia controller, the synthesis module219 (for the multimedia controller200) may make this determination. With reference toFIG. 3 and assuming that the output is to one of the multimedia receivers, the synthesis module319 (for the multimedia receiver300) may make this determination. For example, themultimedia controller102 or the multimedia receiver104 may be outputting music. If there is not low priority multimedia content being output, the flow continues at thisblock610. Otherwise, the flow continues at block612 (which is described in more detail below).
• Atblock610, the received high priority multimedia content is output. With reference toFIG. 2 and assuming that the output is to the multimedia controller, the synthesis module219 (for the multimedia controller200) may cause the content to be output through speaker(s) coupled to the port(s)210. With reference toFIG. 3 and assuming that the output is to one of the multimedia receivers, the synthesis module319 (for the multimedia receiver300) may cause the content to be output through speaker(s) coupled to the port(s)310. Accordingly, synthesis of multiple multimedia content is not needed. The operations of the flow diagram600 are complete.
• Atblock612, the high priority multimedia content and the low priority multimedia content are synthesized. With reference toFIG. 2 and assuming that the output is to the multimedia controller, the synthesis module219 (for the multimedia controller200) may synthesize the content. With reference toFIG. 3 and assuming that the output is to one of the multimedia receivers, the synthesis module319 (for the multimedia receiver300) may synthesize the content. Thesynthesis module219/319 may use different types of mixer operations for synthesizing the content. In some embodiments, the volume of the low priority multimedia content is lower relative to the volume of the high priority multimedia content. In some embodiments, the low priority content could be paused while the high priority content is being output. Subsequently, the high priority content may be resumed where it was paused. Alternatively, the low priority content may be resumed such that the output continues assuming that the content had continued to be played. For example, if the high priority content outputs for 30 seconds, after completion of the high priority content, the low priority content is moved forward 30 seconds and then continues output. Such an operation may be used if the low priority content is being distributed to multiple zones so that such content may remain in sync. The flow continues atblock614.
• Atblock614, the synthesized multimedia content is output. With reference toFIG. 2 and assuming that the output is to the multimedia controller, the synthesis module219 (for the multimedia controller200) may cause the synthesized multimedia content to be output through speaker(s) coupled to the port(s)210. With reference toFIG. 3 and assuming that the output is to one of the multimedia receivers, the synthesis module319 (for the multimedia receiver300) may cause the synthesized multimedia content to be output through speaker(s) coupled to the port(s)310. The operations of the flow diagram600 are complete.
Wireless Configuration of Unconfigured Electronic Devices
• This section provides a description of operations for a wireless configuration of unconfigured electronic devices, according to some embodiments of the invention. In certain embodiments, the operations are performed by instructions residing on machine-readable media (e.g., software), while in other embodiments, the methods are performed by hardware or other logic (e.g., digital logic).
• In this section,FIGS. 7-8 are discussed. In particular,FIGS. 7-8 describe operations for wireless configuration, according to some embodiments of the invention. The operations enable a wireless device to be configured to connect to a wireless network (for which the device is not configured to connect to).FIG. 7 describes operations of a device to be configured for a wireless network.FIG. 8 describes operations of a device to locate and configure devices for a wireless network. While described in reference to themultimedia controller102 configuring multimedia receivers104, such operations may be performed by and to any type of devices. For example, other devices (such as a desktop computer, notebook computer, etc.) may perform the configuration operations. Furthermore, other devices to be configured may include different electronic devices communicating on a wireless network (e.g., notebook computers, set top boxes, etc.). This description proceeds with a discussion ofFIG. 7.
• FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of operations of a device to be configured for a wireless network, according to some embodiments of the invention.FIG. 7 illustrates operations that may be executed by themultimedia controller102. The flow diagram700 commences atblock702.
• Atblock702, power up operations are started. With reference toFIG. 3, the multimedia receiver104 may start power up operations after power is supplied thereto. Power up operations may also be started after the multimedia receiver104 is reset. The flow continues atblock704.
• Atblock704, a determination is made of whether a wireless network is detected. With reference toFIG. 3, theauto communication module350 may make this determination. Theauto communication module350 may receive a result back from thewireless communication module318 that indicates whether one or more wireless communication devices (such as a wireless router) is transmitting wireless communication to allow for connection to the wireless network. If a wireless network is not detected, the flow continues at thisblock704. In other words, theauto communication module350 waits until there is a detection of a wireless network. Otherwise, the flow continues atblock706.
• Atblock706, a determination is made of whether the multimedia receiver104 has a wireless configuration. With reference toFIG. 3, theauto communication module350 may make this determination. This wireless configuration may be stored in a nonvolatile memory (such as the memory330) within the multimedia receiver104, within a memory in thewireless configuration module318, etc. Accordingly, theauto communication module350 determines whether such configuration data is stored therein. If the wireless configuration is not found, the flow continues at block710 (which is described in more detail below). Otherwise, the flow continues atblock708.
• Atblock708, a determination is made of whether connection may be made with the detected wireless network with the wireless configuration. With reference toFIG. 3, theauto communication module350 may make this determination. Thewireless communication module318 may attempt to connect to the wireless network using the wireless configuration (through the network interface316). Theauto communication module350 may receive a result from thewireless communication module318 whether such connection was made. If the connection is made, the operations of the flow diagram700 are complete. Otherwise, the flow continues atblock710.
• Atblock710, the communication for the multimedia receiver104 is set to a configuration channel. With reference toFIG. 3, theauto communication module350 may perform this operation. Wireless communications may be performed on one to a number of channels. In some embodiments, thesystem100 is configured such that one or more channels of wireless communication are designated as configuration channels. Accordingly, the channels may be partitioned into configuration and non-configuration channels. The configuration channels may be used to communicate configuration data for wireless devices to connect to the wireless network. The non-configuration channels may be used for substantive communications that is not related to the configuration of the wireless devices. For example, as described above, the non-configuration channels may be used to communicate different types of requests and transmission of multimedia content. The flow continues atblock712.
• Atblock712, a determination is made of whether wireless configuration is received on the configuration channel. With reference toFIG. 3, theauto communication module350 may make this determination. Theauto communication module350 may query thewireless communication module350 if such communication is received. As described below, the wireless configuration may be received from themultimedia controller102. In some embodiments, the wireless configuration may include an identification of the wireless network. In some embodiments, the wireless network may be secured using some type of encryption. Therefore, the wireless configuration may include an encryption key used for the secured communication on the wireless network. In some embodiments, the wireless configuration may include both the identification of the wireless network and the encryption key. If the wireless configuration is not received, the flow remains at this block712 (waiting for the wireless configuration). Otherwise, the flow continues atblock714.
• Atblock714, the wireless configuration for the multimedia receiver104 is set in accordance with the wireless configuration data received. With reference toFIG. 3, theauto communication module350 may perform this operation. Theauto communication module350 may store this data within a memory within the multimedia receiver104 (which may be one of a number of locations as described above). The flow continues atblock708, wherein connection to the wireless network is attempted using the updated wireless configuration. In some embodiments, the multimedia receiver104 may be reset prior to attempting the connection. Accordingly, the operations may continue atblock702.
• The operations by themultimedia controller102 for configuring the multimedia receiver104 for a wireless network are now described. In particular,FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of operations of a device to configure other devices for a wireless network, according to some embodiments of the invention. The flow diagram800 commences atblock802.
• Atblock802, an input to locate unconfigured multimedia receivers is received. With reference toFIG. 2, theconfiguration module250 may receive this input. In some embodiments, a user may input such a request into themultimedia controller102. For example, if the user adds a new multimedia receiver104 to thesystem100, the user may input this request. Alternatively or in addition, periodically a timer within themultimedia controller200 may cause such an input therein. The flow continues atblock804.
• Atblock804, the communication for themultimedia controller102 is set to a configuration channel. With reference toFIG. 2, theconfiguration module250 may perform this operation. As described above, in some embodiments, the communication channels may include configuration and non-configuration. The flow continues atblock806.
• Atblock806, a determination is made of whether there are unconfigured multimedia receivers attempting to receive wireless configuration on the configuration channel. With reference toFIG. 2, theconfiguration module250 may make this determination. Theconfiguration module250 may query thewireless configuration module218 whether any multimedia receivers104 are communicating on the configuration channel. For example, the multimedia receivers104 may send a communication that indicates that wireless configuration is needed for the wireless network. If there are no multimedia receivers104 attempting to receive wireless configuration data on the configuration channel, the flow continues at thisblock806, where this configuration channel is continued to be checked for unconfigured multimedia receivers. If there is a multimedia receiver attempting to receive wireless configuration data, the flow continues atblock808.
• Atblock808, the unconfigured multimedia receiver attempting to receive wireless configuration is verified. With reference toFIG. 2, theconfiguration module250 may perform this verification. In some embodiments, theconfiguration module250 may output an indication on thedisplay206 that there is an unconfigured multimedia receiver. In some embodiments, a user may input some type of identification of the unconfigured multimedia receiver. For example, a user may input some or all of the network address (such as the Ethernet address) for the unconfigured multimedia receiver. Theconfiguration module250 may verify this address using a list of valid addresses stored in a machine readable media in themultimedia controller200 or themultimedia content provider110. Accordingly, such verification precludes a rogue wireless network device from receiving the wireless configuration and connecting to the wireless network. If the unconfigured multimedia receiver is not verified, the flow continues at thisblock806, where this is configuration channel is continued to be checked for unconfigured multimedia receivers. Otherwise, the flow continues atblock810.
• Atblock810, the wireless configuration is transmitted to the unconfigured multimedia receiver. With reference toFIG. 2, theconfiguration module250 may perform this operation. Theconfiguration module250 may transmit the identification of the wireless network, the encryption key for secured communications on the wireless network, etc. The flow continues atblock806. Accordingly, themultimedia controller102 continues to check for unconfigured multimedia receivers. The flow diagram800 may be aborted at any point by a user that inputs a request to return to a non-configuration mode (to communicate on a non-configuration channel). For example, if the user wants to use themultimedia controller102 to control the distribution of the multimedia content (as described above), the user may change themultimedia controller102 out from this configuration mode.
• While described relative to a user of themultimedia controller102 involved in some of the operations, embodiments are not so limited. For example, in some embodiments, one of the multimedia receivers104 may perform the operations of the flow diagram800. Accordingly, the multimedia receiver104 may be configured to periodically check the configuration channel to determine if any unconfigured multimedia receivers are waiting for wireless configuration. The multimedia receiver104 may also be configured to include a list of valid addresses associated with the unconfigured multimedia receivers104 used for the verification.
Detection of Devices in a Zone
• This section provides a description of a configuration for detection of devices in a zone, according to some embodiments of the invention. In certain embodiments, the operations are performed by instructions residing on machine-readable media (e.g., software), while in other embodiments, the methods are performed by hardware or other logic (e.g., digital logic).
• In this section,FIGS. 9-11 are discussed. In particular,FIG. 9 illustrates a system that includes detection of devices in a zone, according to some embodiments of the invention.FIGS. 10-11 describe operations for detection of devices in a zone, according to some embodiments of the invention. Specifically,FIG. 10 describes operations of a device to be detected and subsequently controlled by a wireless remote control.FIG. 11 describes operations of a wireless remote control for detection and control of electronic devices. While described in reference to themultimedia controller102 detecting and controlling of electronic devices, such operations may be performed by any type of wireless remote controls. This description proceeds with a discussion ofFIG. 9.
• FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a system for detecting electronic devices in a zone, according to some embodiments of the invention. Asystem900 includes amultimedia controller906, a number ofelectronic devices904A-904N in azone A902 and a number ofelectronic devices908A-908N in azone N910. Themultimedia controller906 may be representative of themultimedia controller102 or any other wireless remote control. The electronic devices904 may be representative of the multimedia receivers104, a CD player/recorder, a DVD player/recorder, a set top box, a security system, a thermostat, a television, etc. A more detailed block diagram of one of the electronic devices904 is illustrated inFIG. 4 (which is described above).
• Thezone A902 and thezone N910 may be representative of different parts of a system. For example, in some embodiments, thezone A902 and thezone N910 may be different rooms in a home, office, etc. Thezone A902 and thezone N910 are separated along aseparation950. In some embodiments, theseparation950 may be an opaque material (such as a solid wall in a home, office, etc.).
• Theelectronic devices904A-904N transmitwireless transmissions905A-905N. Theelectronic devices908A-908N transmitwireless transmissions909A-909N. Thewireless transmissions905A-905N and thewireless transmissions909A-909N may be different types of wireless communications. Thewireless transmissions905A-905N and thewireless transmissions909A-909N may or may not be of the same type. In some embodiments, thewireless transmissions905A-905N cannot be transmitted through an opaque material (such as a wall). For example, thewireless transmissions905A-905N may be infrared signals.
• Themultimedia controller906 is located in the zone A and is able to detect thewireless transmissions905A-905N. After receiving thewireless transmissions905A-905N, themultimedia controller906 may be configured to control theelectronic devices904A-904N. In some embodiments, themultimedia controller906 may have such configuration data stored within a machine-readable medium therein. Alternatively or in addition, themultimedia controller906 may download such configuration data from a multimedia service provider. Examples of the configuration data may include the type of device, types of controls for such a device, the standard for communication for such device, etc.
• Also, because in some embodiments thewireless transmissions909A-909N cannot be transmitted through an opaque material, themultimedia controller906 is not able to detect such transmissions. Therefore, themultimedia controller906 is not configured to control theelectronic devices908A-908N. Accordingly, as described, in some embodiments, as a user moves themultimedia controller906 through different zones, themultimedia controller906 may be reconfigured to control the electronic devices for a given zone. In other words, while themultimedia controller906 is located in zone A, themultimedia controller906 is configured to control theelectronic devices904A-904N. While themultimedia controller906 is located in zone N, themultimedia controller906 is configured to control theelectronic devices908A-908N.
• The operations of theelectronic devices904A-904N for detection in a zone are now described. In particular,FIG. 10 illustrates a flow diagram of operations of an electronic device to be detected and subsequently controlled by a multimedia controller, according to some embodiments of the invention. The flow diagram1000 is described in reference toFIG. 9 and the electronic device400 (shown inFIG. 4). The flow diagram1000 commences atblock1002.
• Atblock1002, a wireless transmission, which cannot be transmitted through an opaque material, is transmitted from an apparatus. With reference toFIG. 4, the apparatus may be theelectronic device400. Theprocessor406 may cause thewireless transmitter402 to output the wireless transmission. In some embodiments, the wireless transmission may be an infrared signal. As described, the wireless transmission may be such that it cannot be transmitted through an opaque material, such as a wall in a home or office. In some embodiments, the zones in the system (as shown inFIG. 1) are separated substantially by opaque material. Therefore, the wireless transmission for the electronic device is limited to the zone in which the device is located. The wireless transmission may include an identification of theelectronic device400. For example, the identification may include the type of device, the make and model number, etc.
• In some embodiments, thewireless transmitter402 may output the wireless transmission while power is supplied to theelectronic device400. Alternatively, thewireless transmitter402 may output the wireless transmission until a stop transmission indication is received from themultimedia controller906. For example, themultimedia controller906 may output such a signal after receiving the wireless transmission and being configured to control the device. In some embodiments, theprocessor406 may cause thewireless transmitter402 to commence the outputting of the wireless transmission after motion is detected in the zone. For example, if a user with themultimedia controller906 walks into the zone, the wireless transmission may commence. The flow continues atblock1004.
• Atblock1004, a control signal is received from a multimedia controller that received the wireless communication to control the apparatus. With reference toFIG. 4, theinput module404 may receive the control signal from themultimedia controller906. The control signal may be to control different operations of theelectronic device400. For example, the control signal may be related to adjusting the volume, channel, input source, etc. As described above, in some embodiments, the control signal may cause thewireless transmitter402 to cease the outputting of the wireless transmission. Accordingly, themultimedia controller906 may output different control signals for controlling the electronic device. Therefore, themultimedia controller906 may receive the wireless transmission from the different electronic devices in a given zone where themultimedia controller906 is located. Also, in some embodiments, themultimedia controller906 does not receive the wireless transmission from electronic devices in the other zones. Accordingly, themultimedia controller906 is not configured to control the devices in other zones. The operations of the flow diagram1000 are complete.
• The operations of themultimedia controller906 for detecting electronic devices in a zone are now described. In particular,FIG. 11 illustrates a flow diagram of operations of a multimedia controller to detect and subsequently control electronic devices in a zone, according to some embodiments of the invention. The flow diagram1100 is described in reference toFIG. 9 and the multimedia controller200 (shown inFIG. 2). The flow diagram1100 commences atblock1102.
• Atblock1102, a wireless communication, which cannot be transmitted through an opaque material, is received from an apparatus. With reference toFIG. 2, the wireless communication module218 (within the multimedia controller200) may receive the wireless communication through thenetwork interface216. With reference toFIG. 9, the apparatus may be the electronic devices904 in zone A (wherein themultimedia controller906 is located). The flow continues atblock1104.
• Atblock1104, the multimedia controller is configured to control the apparatus that transmitted the wireless transmission. With reference toFIG. 2, the wireless communication module218 (in the multimedia controller200) may configure themultimedia controller200 to control the apparatus. In some embodiments, the configuration data may be stored within a machine-readable medium in themultimedia controller218. Alternatively or in addition, with reference toFIG. 1, themultimedia content provider110 may store such configuration data. Therefore, thewireless communication module218 may retrieve the configuration data and update a data structure (table, etc.) with the configuration data. For example, based on the identification of the apparatus, the standard of communication, the codes used for controlling the apparatus, etc. is stored in the data structure. To illustrate, the code for adjusting the volume, channels, input sources, power, etc. may be stored in the data structure. The flow continues atblock1106.
• Atblock1106, a control signal is transmitted from a multimedia controller to control the apparatus. With reference toFIG. 2, thewireless communication module218 may receive an input from a user to control one of the electronic devices. For example, a display on themultimedia controller906 may include a list of electronic devices that may be controlled. With reference toFIG. 9, the user may select one of the electronic devices904 using themultimedia controller906 within the zone A. Using themultimedia controller906, the user may control the volume, channel, input source, etc. of the electronic devices904. The operations of the flow diagram1100 are complete.
• Accordingly, as described, as themultimedia controller906 is moved from one zone to another, the electronic devices in the zone emit a wireless transmission that is received by the multimedia controller. The multimedia controller may be configured to control and subsequently control such electronic devices.
Contextual User Output Interface
• This section provides a description of displaying a contextual user output interface, according to some embodiments of the invention. The contextual user output interface may include a context for a requested multimedia content. In certain embodiments, the operations are performed by instructions residing on machine-readable media (e.g., software), while in other embodiments, the methods are performed by hardware or other logic (e.g., digital logic).
• In this section,FIGS. 12-15 are discussed. In particular,FIG. 12 describes operations for displaying a contextual user output interface, according to some embodiments of the invention.FIG. 13 illustrates a mapping of relationships among multimedia content, according to some embodiments of the invention.FIGS. 13-15 illustrates displays having a context for a multimedia content, according to some embodiments of the invention. This description proceeds with a discussion ofFIG. 12.
• In particular,FIG. 12 illustrates a flow diagram of operations of a multimedia device for displaying of a contextual user output interface, according to some embodiments of the invention. The flow diagram1200 is described such that the operations are performed by the multimedia controller200 (shown inFIG. 2). However, such operations may be performed by any type of multimedia device (such as a home computer). The flow diagram1200 is described in reference toFIG. 1 and the multimedia controller200 (shown inFIG. 2). The flow diagram1200 commences atblock1202.
• Atblock1202, input is received from a user for multimedia content through a multimedia device. With reference toFIG. 2, themultimedia controller200 receives the input through one mode of multiple modes of interaction. For example, the user may request a showing of all songs for a given artist through a voice input—“Give me a list of all songs performed by artist A.” Additionally, the user may request a particular song, a particular stock, a listing of a given set of stocks, etc. The input may also include the location where the multimedia content is to be distributed. For example, the user may request that a given song be played on multimedia receiver(s)104 in one or more zones, played on themultimedia controller102, etc. If the input is for a list that may be further narrowed, the list may be returned back to themultimedia controller102 to be displayed thereon. The user may input through other modes including the buttons, a keyboard, etc. on themultimedia controller200. The flow continues atblock1204.
• Atblock1204, the input for multimedia content is transmitted to a multimedia content provider. With reference toFIG. 2, thewireless communication module218 transmits this input. With reference toFIG. 1, the input may be transmitted to themultimedia content provider110. The flow continues atblock1206.
• Atblock1206, a result of the input for multimedia content is received from the multimedia content provider, into the multimedia device. With reference toFIG. 1, the result is received from themultimedia content provider110 into themultimedia controller102. With reference toFIG. 2, the result may be received by thewireless communication module218. In some embodiments, if the result is to be distributed to one of the multimedia receivers104, an identification of the result (such as the name of the song, stock, etc.) may also returned to themultimedia controller102. The flow continues atblock1208.
• Atblock1208, a context of the result that includes an identification of other multimedia content that can be retrieved is received from the multimedia content provider and into the multimedia received. With reference toFIG. 1, the context is received from themultimedia content provider110 into themultimedia controller102. With reference toFIG. 2, the context may be received by thewireless communication module218. Context may include data around or near the data of the result.
• For example,FIG. 13 illustrates a structure for mapping of relationships among multimedia content, according to some embodiments of the invention. The structure of mapping may or may not be representative of the actual storage of the multimedia content. Thetree structure1300 illustrates parts of a tree structure for news and stocks. The child nodes of news include sports and business. The child nodes of sports are professional football and professional basketball. The child nodes of professional football are scores and standings. The child nodes of scores are scores of the individual games (score—game A . . . score—game N). The child nodes of standings are the details for the individual teams (team A . . . team N). Not shown, the child nodes of professional basketball may include child nodes similar that shown for professional football. The child nodes of business include local and national. For stocks, the child nodes include a different groupings of stocks (group A of stocks . . . group N of stocks). The child nodes of group A of stocks include individual stocks (stock A . . . stock N). The child nodes of group N of stocks include individual stocks (stock M . . . stock Z).
• In some embodiments, the context for the data result may include an identification of the data one level above and one level below. For example, the context for the data result (scores of professional football) may include the identification of “professional football” and identification of “score—game A” . . . “score—game N”. In some embodiments, the context for the data result may include an identification of the data one level above. Alternatively, the context for the data result may include an identification of the data one level below. In some embodiments, the context may allow the user to pivot in any of a number of directions. For example, a relationship may be mapped to “score of game A” to “team A” (which was playing in game A). Returning to the flow diagram1200, the flow continues atblock1210.
• Atblock1210, the result and the context are displayed together on a display of the multimedia device. With reference toFIG. 2, thewireless communication module218 may cause the result and the context to be displayed on thedisplay206. For example,FIG. 14 illustrates a graphical user interface of a display of a result of scores of professional football and its context, according to some embodiments of the invention. The display1400 includes a tabbed interface. A tab1402 displays the result—the scores of the games. For example, the user may input a voice command—“Give me the pro football scores.” The tab1402 could display the scores for the current week. Atab1404 and atab1406 include a context for the result. Thetab1404 could include an identification of “professional football.” Thetab1406 could include an identification of details of the individual game scores.
• To further illustrate,FIG. 15 illustrates a graphical user interface of a display of a result of a user's stocks and its context, according to some embodiments of the invention. The display1500 includes a tab interface. Atab1502 displays the result—“my stocks.” For example, the user may input a voice command—“give me my stocks.” Thetab1502 could display the stocks owned by this particular user. For example, the user may configure themultimedia controller102 with an identification of the user's stocks. A tab1504 and atab1506 include a context for the result. The tab1504 could include an identification of “stocks.” Thetab1506 could include an identification of “details” for each of the stocks owned by the user. Therefore, the user of themultimedia controller102 may select one of the context tabs to retrieve the data associated therewith. WhileFIGS. 14-15 illustrate a tab interface, embodiments are not so limited. For example, the display may be a map, a table, etc. Moreover, while operations atblock1210 are described as displaying the result and the context, some embodiments may be returned in other output formats (e.g., audio, etc.).
• Embodiments described herein may or may not be practiced together. For example, embodiments for the wireless detection may be used with the embodiments for detection of devices in a zone. Moreover, embodiments for synthesizing the output of the multimedia content may be used with embodiments for the multimodal interface.
General
• In this description, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description. Note that in this description, references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” mean that the feature being referred to is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Further, separate references to “one embodiment” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment; however, neither are such embodiments mutually exclusive, unless so stated and except as will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the embodiments can include any variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein.
• Each claim, as may be amended, constitutes an embodiment of the invention, incorporated by reference into the detailed description. Moreover, in this description, the phrase “exemplary embodiment” means that the embodiment being referred to serves as an example or illustration.
• Herein, block diagrams illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention. Also herein, flow diagrams illustrate operations of the exemplary embodiments of the invention. The operations of the flow diagrams are described with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the block diagrams. However, it should be understood that the operations of the flow diagrams could be performed by embodiments of the invention other than those discussed with reference to the block diagrams, and embodiments discussed with references to the block diagrams could perform operations different than those discussed with reference to the flow diagrams. Additionally, some embodiments may not perform all the operations shown in a flow diagram. Moreover, it should be understood that although the flow diagrams depict serial operations, certain embodiments could perform certain of those operations in parallel.

Claims (34)

1. A method comprising:

receiving, into a device having two or more modes of interaction, an input request for multimedia content from one mode of the two more modes of interaction;

transmitting the input request to a multimedia content provider;

receiving the multimedia content back from the multimedia content provider; and

updating each of the two or more modes of interaction based on the received multimedia content.

2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the two or more modes of interaction are selected from a group consisting of a button, a keyboard, a mouse, a stylus, a microphone and a display.

3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein updating each of the two or more modes of interaction based on the received multimedia content comprises adjusting each of the two or more modes of interaction to allow for a different interaction.

4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the multimedia content received is of a high priority and wherein the method further comprises synthesizing the multimedia content received with a multimedia content, which is of a low priority, being currently output from the device.

5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein synthesizing comprises outputting the multimedia content of the high priority and the multimedia content of the low priority together, wherein the multimedia content of the high priority is output at a higher volume in comparison to the multimedia content of the low priority.

6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the multimedia content received comprises a voice output for one of a number of types of multimedia content, wherein the voice output includes a voice that is unique relative to voices of voice output for the other of the number of types of multimedia content.

7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein receiving the input request comprises recording a voice command, wherein recording comprises a time period prior to an indication to a user that the device is prepared for recording.

8. A machine-readable medium including instructions which when executed by a machine causes the machine to perform operations comprising:

receiving, into a device having two or more modes of interaction, a search request for multimedia content from one mode of the two more modes of interaction;

transmitting the search request to a multimedia content provider;

receiving a result of the search request back from the multimedia content provider;

updating each of the two or more modes of interaction based on the received result of the search request;

receiving, into the device, a more narrow search request for the multimedia content from a second mode of the two or more modes of interaction;

transmitting the more narrow search request to the multimedia content provider;

receiving a result of the more narrow search request back from the multimedia content provider; and

updating each of the two or more modes of interaction based on the received result of the more narrow search request.

9. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 8, wherein the device comprises a multimedia controller used for distribution of multimedia content across multiple zones.

10. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 8, wherein the two or more modes of interaction are selected from a group consisting of a button, a keyboard, a mouse, a stylus, a microphone and a display.

11. A machine-readable medium including instructions which when executed by a machine causes the machine to perform operations comprising:

receiving, into a device having multiple modes of interaction, an input request for multimedia content from one mode of the multiple modes of interaction;

transmitting the input request to a multimedia content provider;

receiving the multimedia content and synchronization data back from the multimedia content provider; and

synchronizing the multiple modes of interaction based on the synchronization data.

12. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 11, wherein the multimedia content received is of a high priority and wherein the method further comprises synthesizing, the multimedia content received with a multimedia content, which is of a low priority, being currently output from the device.

13. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 12, wherein synthesizing comprises outputting the multimedia content of the high priority and the multimedia content of the low priority together, wherein the multimedia content of the high priority is output at a higher volume in comparison to the multimedia content of the low priority.

14. A method comprising:

receiving, into a device having two or more modes of interaction, a search request for multimedia content from one mode of the two more modes of interaction;

transmitting the search request to a multimedia content provider;

receiving a result of the search request back from the multimedia content provider;

updating each of the two or more modes of interaction based on the received result of the search request;

receiving, into the device, a more narrow search request for the multimedia content from a second mode of the two or more modes of interaction;

transmitting the more narrow search request to the multimedia content provider;

receiving a result of the more narrow search request back from the multimedia content provider; and

updating each of the two or more modes of interaction based on the received result of the more narrow search request.

15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the device comprises a multimedia controller used for distribution of multimedia content across multiple zones.

16. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the two or more modes of interaction are selected from a group consisting of a button, a keyboard, a mouse, a stylus, a microphone and a display.

17. A method comprising:

setting a communication channel of a wireless communication device to a configuration channel in response to a determination that communication cannot be established with a wireless network;

receiving wireless configuration data from a different wireless communication device on the wireless network; and

updating wireless configuration of the wireless communication device to connect to the wireless network based on the received wireless configuration data.

18. The method ofclaim 17, wherein setting the communication channel of the wireless communication device to the configuration channel in response to the determination that communication cannot be established with the wireless network comprises setting the communication channel of the wireless communication device to the configuration channel in response to the determination that wireless configuration data is not stored in a machine-readable medium of the wireless communication device.

19. The method ofclaim 17, wherein receiving wireless configuration data from the different wireless communication device comprises receiving an identification of the wireless network and an encryption key for communication on the wireless network.

20. A method comprising:

receiving input from a user to locate one or more digital music receivers not configured to access a wireless network;

changing communication on the wireless network from a non-configuration channel to a configuration channel; and

establishing communication with the one or more digital music receivers using the configuration channel; and

transmitting wireless configuration data to the one or more digital music receivers, after the user has input verification of the one or more digital music receivers.

21. The method ofclaim 20, wherein transmitting the wireless configuration data comprises transmitting an identification of the wireless network and an encryption key for communication on the wireless network.

22. A machine-readable medium including instructions which when executed by a machine causes the machine to perform operations comprising:

receiving input to locate a device not configured to access a wireless network;

changing communication on the wireless network to a configuration channel; and

transmitting wireless configuration data to the device not configured to access the wireless network, in response to establishing communication with the device over the configuration channel.

23. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 22, wherein receiving input to locate the device not configured to access the wireless network comprises receiving input to locate a digital music receiver not configured to access the wireless network.

24. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 22, wherein transmitting the wireless configuration data comprises transmitting an identification of the wireless network.

25. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 22, wherein transmitting the wireless configuration data comprises transmitting an encryption key for communication on the wireless network.

26. An apparatus comprising:

a wireless communication transmitter to transmit a wireless communication that cannot be transmitted through an opaque material, the wireless communication to include an identification of the apparatus and to be received by a wireless remote control; and

an input module to receive a control signal from the wireless remote control to control the apparatus after the wireless communication is received by the wireless remote control.

27. The apparatus ofclaim 26, wherein the wireless communication that cannot be transmitted through an opaque material comprises an infrared communication.

28. A method comprising:

transmitting, from an apparatus, a wireless communication that cannot be transmitted through an opaque material, wherein the wireless communication includes an identification of the apparatus; and

receiving a control signal, from a wireless remote control that received the wireless communication, to control the apparatus.

29. An apparatus comprising:

a wireless communication module to receive a wireless communication, from an electronic device, that cannot be transmitted through an opaque material, the wireless communication to include an identification of the electronic device; and

an output module to transmit a wireless control communication to control the electronic device after the wireless communication is received by the apparatus.

30. The apparatus ofclaim 29, wherein the wireless communication that cannot be transmitted through an opaque material comprises an infrared communication.

31. The apparatus ofclaim 29, further comprising a microphone to receive a voice command that is for distribution of multimedia content to the electronic device or a different electronic device.

32. The apparatus ofclaim 29, further comprising a wireless communication module to output a wireless communication for the multimedia content to be distributed to the electronic device or to the different electronic device.

33. A method comprising:

receiving a wireless communication, from an apparatus, that cannot be transmitted through an opaque material, the wireless communication to include an identification of the apparatus; and

transmitting a control wireless communication to the apparatus to control the apparatus.

34. The method ofclaim 33, further comprising configuring to control the apparatus, wherein the control wireless communication is based on the configuring.

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